THE

STUDY GUIDE TO

BIBLICAL ELDERSHIP

OTHER BOOKS BY ALEXANDER STRAUCH

Biblical Eldership

Biblical Eldership Mentor’s Guide(with Richard Swartley)

Biblical Eldership Booklet(An Overview)

The New Testament Deacon

The New Testament Deacon Study Guide

Meetings That Work

Agape Leadership(with Robert L. Peterson)

The Hospitality Commands

Men and Women: Equal Yet Different

THE

STUDY GUIDE TO

BIBLICAL ELDERSHIP

TWELVE LESSONS FOR MENTORING ELDERS

Alexander Strauch

P. O. Box 64260 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80962 U. S. A.

Biblical Eldership Study Guide

ISBN: 0-93608-313-1

Copyright © 1996 by Lewis & Roth Publishers. All rights reserved.

Cover Design: Stephen T. Eames (EamesCreative.com)

Editors: Stephen and Amanda Sorenson

Typography: Tim Howard

All Scripture quotations, except those noted otherwise, are taken from the New American

Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by

The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Quotation by Neil T. Anderson is taken from The Bondage Breaker by Neil T. Anderson,

Copyright © 1990 by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon. Used by permission.

Discover Your Gifts is published by CRC Publications, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Grand

Rapids, MI, Copyright © 1989. Used by permission.

Printed in the United States of America

Tenth Printing / 2004

To receive a free catalog of books published by Lewis & Roth Publishers, call toll free:

800-477-3239. If you are calling from outside the United States, please call 719-494-1800.

Lewis & Roth Publishers

P.O. Box 64260

Colorado Springs, CO 80962-4260

www.lewisandroth.com

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND AUTHOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

HOW TO USE THE STUDY GUIDE TO BIBLICAL ELDERSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

LESSON 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

OLD TESTAMENT ELDERS - JOB

Lesson 1 explores Job’s life as a model of the Old Testament elder. We will examine theduties and deficiencies of Israel’s elders and will note the failure of Job’s colleagues to com-passionately and tactfully minister to him during his intense suffering. This lesson willhelp you think and act like a biblical, Christlike elder. The lesson covers pages 121-124,186-202, 227-238.

LESSON 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

MEN OF SOUND DOCTRINE AND WISDOM - ACTS 15:1-35; 21:18-25

Lesson 2 sets forth the biblical imperative that elders know Bible doctrine so that they willbe adequately equipped to judge doctrinal disputes and provide wise, godly counsel andleadership for the congregation. As you will discover throughout the Guide, biblical eldersmust be men of the Word. The biblical standard for pastor elders is that they be able toteach and defend sound Christian doctrine. Elders who are biblically inadequate are actu-ally a curse to the church, not the blessing God would have them be.This lesson is intend-ed to help you evaluate your preparedness as a teacher and defender of Christ’s doctrine.It will also touch briefly on the elder-congregation relationship and the need for elders tobe men of wisdom who know how to lead the congregation in godly decision making.Thepages to be read are 17-22, 125-133, 291-295.

LESSON 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

THE FIRST ELDER APPOINTMENTS - ACTS 14:23“GUARD YOURSELVES” - ACTS 20:28a

In this lesson we will be confronted by the significance of Acts 14:23 to the NewTestament doctrine of eldership and learn to think accurately about the Greek word for“appointed,” which is frequently misinterpreted to mean church election or ordination.

Most of the lesson covers Acts 20:28a: “Be on guard for yourselves.” Shepherds cannotguard others from Satan’s many deceptions if they do not first guard their own souls. Thislesson reinforces the Lord’s call for us to be men of the Word and of prayer. The pages tobe read are 133-147.

LESSON 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

PROTECTING THE FLOCK FROM FALSE TEACHERS - ACTS 20:18-35THE SOURCE OF THE ELDERS’ STRENGTH - ACTS 20:32, 36-38THE PAULINE MODEL FOR ELDERS - ACTS 20:33-35

Lesson 4 deals with the elders’ solemn duty to protect their flock from “savage wolves,” thatis, false teachers. It covers Paul’s farewell message to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:18-35.An elder who desires to be a faithful guardian of Christ’s Word and flock must becomethoroughly familiar with this Scripture passage. It answers the question of who places eld-ers in the local church as overseers and pastor shepherds, and establishes the inestimableworth of the body of Christ, which elders are called to guard from Satanic workers.

The second half of the lesson addresses the elders’ need to trust in God and His Word forstrength and guidance. It also explores Paul’s example of self-employment and generosityto others. The reading covers pages 17-22, 27-29, 31-34, 109-115, 140-159.

LESSON 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

HUMBLE SERVANTS AND THE CHIEF SHEPHERD - 1 PETER 5:3b-5HARD-WORKING MEN - 1 THESSALONIANS 5:12, 13

Lesson 5 covers 1 Peter 5:1a, 3b-5 and 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13. Peter exhorts elders toshepherd the flock through the power of personal example and encourages them with thepromises of the glorious return of the “Chief Shepherd” and the “crown of glory.” Finally,he calls elders, as well as the flock, to clothe themselves with humility so that all may livetogether in peace.

Paul’s exhortation to the congregation at Thessalonica reinforces the elders’ task of leadingand admonishing the congregation. In order to bear this great responsibility, pastor eldersmust be self-disciplined, highly committed disciples of the Master. Clearly, board elderscannot pastor a local church: only hard-working, self-disciplined, shepherd elders can.

Like Peter, Paul also calls the congregation and its leaders to work for peace and to loveone another. Without humility, love, and peace there is little hope of experiencing the joysof Christlike community and effective pastoral leadership. The pages to be read are 161-174, 249-252.

LESSON 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

TEAM LEADERSHIP - PHILIPPIANS 1:1, 1 TIMOTHY 5:17, 18

Lesson 6 examines the plurality of overseers mentioned in Philippians 1:1, the equating ofoverseers with elders, the significance of church leadership terminology, the importanceand practice of team leadership, and the principle of “first among equals.”

The major focus of the lesson is on learning how to work with fellow elders in Christianharmony, which is not an easy task. Becoming a good team player takes years of effort andcommitment. The key to team leadership is agape love. The lesson covers pages 31-50,101-117, 174-180.

LESSON 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

QUALIFIED LEADERS - 1 TIMOTHY 3:1-15

The major emphasis of lesson 7 is the necessity of church elders being “above reproach.”The lesson also reviews Paul’s purpose in writing 1 Timothy, the Ephesian elders’ failureto protect the church from false teaching, the faithful saying of 1 Timothy 3:1, and thequalifications for overseers. The pages to be read are 67-83, 181-202.

LESSON 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

HONORING AND DISCIPLINING ELDERS - 1 TIMOTHY 5:17-25

Lesson 8 surveys 1 Timothy 5:17-25, one of the most significant New Testament passageson the doctrine of Christian eldership. It focuses on elders who deserve double honorbecause of their capable leadership and diligent labor in the Word and explains the neces-sity of evaluating each elder’s gifts.

The passage also addresses the difficult issue of disciplining elders who have been provedguilty of sin. The lesson emphasizes the need for leaders to be courageous in exposing sin,to judge justly, and to follow the New Testament precautions in appointing elders. Thepages to be read are 206-224.

LESSON 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

APPOINT ONLY QUALIFIED MEN - TITUS 1:5-11

Lesson 9 reviews Paul’s instructions to Titus and the underdeveloped churches on theIsland of Crete that were facing attack from false teachers. Paul sets forth the qualificationsfor elders: church elders must control personal anger, be hospitable, be faithful to Christiandoctrine, and be able to exhort in sound doctrine and refute false teachers. The lesson alsoexamines the terms “ordination” and “appointment,” and the unbiblical division betweenclergy and laity. The lesson covers pages 104-106, 111-114, 202-205, 225-238, 284-288.

LESSON 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

SHEPHERD GOD’S FLOCK IN GOD’S WAY - 1 PETER 5:1-3

In lesson 10, Peter’s farewell exhortations to the elders of northwestern Asia Minor in 1Peter 5:1-3 are considered. We examine the urgent apostolic imperative for elders to shep-herd God’s flock, that is, to be all that shepherds should be to the flock. This lesson willhelp you think practically about your time commitment to the shepherding task and yourpersonal contribution to the shepherding team.

Furthermore, this passage is an urgent call for pastor elders to shepherd the flock in a dis-tinctly Christlike way-willingly, eagerly, and as godly models of Christ-not as authoritar-ian tyrants or hirelings. Christian elders are to be loving, servant leaders. The lessonrequires that you read chapter 5, “Servant Leadership,” in Biblical Eldership. It covers pages9-31, 85-98, 114, 149, 239-248.

LESSON 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

CARING FOR THE POOR - ACTS 11:29, 30; 20:35PRAYING FOR THE SICK - JAMES 5:13-16

Lesson 11 addresses the elders’ attitude toward the poor and needy, and the character qual-ities necessary in the men who administer the church’s charitable funds. The second halfof the lesson deals with the elders’ responsibility to the sick, as described in James 5:14, 15.To be a Christlike shepherd, the elder must be compassionate toward those who suffer. Inministering to the sick, the pastor elder must be a man of faith, prayer, and wise counsel.The pages to be read are 29-31, 156-159, 253-263; also referenced are pages 188-202,228-238.

LESSON 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

SPIRITUAL WATCHMEN - HEBREWS 13:17SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY - HEBREWS 13:17MALE LEADERSHIP - 1 TIMOTHY 2:9-3:2a

The final lesson explores Hebrews 13:17. We discuss the institutional church model ver-sus the community church model, and the joys and heartaches of leading God’s people. Inaddition, the subject of submission to church elders, a matter of great disdain to modernman, is studied.

The lesson also reviews chapter 3 of Biblical Eldership, “Male Leadership.”This is not onlyan issue related to God’s plan for male-female relationships in the home and church, butis an issue of biblical integrity and authority that is of utmost importance to the Lord’speople. The lesson covers pages 51-66, 265-273.

APPENDIX 1—ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

APPENDIX 2—SCRIPTURE INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

APPENDIX 3—GENERAL INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSEnthusiastic words of thanks are given to Dick and Anne Swartley who have

spent untold hours meticulously pouring over each assignment and question

and designing the Study Guide to Biblical Eldership. Without them The Study

Guide would not be the valuable tool it is today. Their work has been a labor of

love on behalf of God’s people.

Thanks are also due to Todd Leapold for his critique of each lesson as a men-

toree; to John Ellis for his analysis of each lesson as an experienced shepherd

elder; to the elders of the First Evangelical Free Church in Lakeland, Florida

who worked through the Study Guide to Biblical Eldership together, resulting in

many helpful suggestions; and to Barbara Peek for proofreading the final copy.

AUTHORALEXANDER STRAUCH and his wife, Marilyn, reside in Littleton, Colorado,

near their four married daughters. Mr. Strauch is a gifted Bible teacher and an

elder at a church in Littleton where he has served for over 30 years. Other

works by Mr. Strauch include: Biblical Eldership, The Mentor’s Guide to Biblical

Eldership, The Biblical Eldership Booklet, Meetings That Work, The New

Testament Deacon, The New Testament Deacon Study Guide, Agape Leadership,

The Hospitality Commands, and Men and Women: Equal Yet Different.

Friends of ours who are elders in another church were discussing the need to train more men foreldership. As they sought suitable material for training potential elders, one reminded the others that,“No one ever trained us!” Unfortunately, this assessment could be echoed by 95 percent of all eldersand deacons.

WHY TRAIN MEN FOR ELDERSHIP?

The lack of elder and deacon training is an extremely critical problem. We are not training the very menwho lead and have oversight of our churches. We erroneously believe that our serving elders and dea-cons understand spiritual oversight and care, but in fact our churches are filled with elders and deaconswho confess that they are unprepared and untrained for their work. Even Bible schools and seminaries,for the most part, do not prepare men to provide spiritual care or leadership for a congregation.

This lack of training is not uncommon among organizations that operate in a familial manner. A lead-ing news magazine reported on the amazing strength of America’s family-owned businesses, estimat-ing that “nearly 50 percent of the nation’s gross national product” was produced by family-ownedfirms.1 After enumerating many positive aspects of the family-owned business, however, the articlereported that its chief weakness is its failure to train the next generation of family leaders: “On thewhole, only a third of family-owned companies survive into the second generation because foundersoften are too busy to plan ahead or because they lack confidence in their young.”2

The local church is an extended family that does God’s business. Like many family-owned business-es, local churches fail to train the next generation of leaders. Church leaders are frequently too pre-occupied with the work of the church or lack vision for training future leaders. They have seriouslyunderestimated both the need and their responsibility. Like flowers in spring, leaders who are readyto bless the flock will not appear without planting or preparation.

Kenneth O. Gangel, a biblically sound expert in church management and training, is right on targetwhen he points out, “The key to reproducing leadership is to clearly plan for it.”3 “Church leaders,”exhorts Gangel, “need to produce leaders who will reproduce leaders precisely as it is done in the fam-ily-through experience, instruction, and modeling.”4

IntroductionHow to use The Study Guide to Biblical Eldership

11

Training men for future leadership and ministry should not be a novel concept to the Christian whois familiar with what the Bible teaches. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ spent a significant part ofHis public ministry preparing for the future. He patiently poured His life into twelve men, trainingthem to be the future leaders of the church. He was a master teacher and mentor. Scottish biblical pro-fessor and writer, A. B. Bruce (1831-1899), in his standard-setting work, The Training of the Twelve,writes:

“Follow Me,” said Jesus to the fishermen of Bethsaida, “and I will make you fishers ofmen.”These words . . . show that the great Founder of the faith desired not only to havedisciples, but to have about Him men whom he might train to make disciples of oth-ers. . . . Both from His words and from His actions we can see that He attachedsupreme importance to that part of His work which consisted in training the twelve.In the intercessory prayer [ John 17:6], e.g., He speaks of the training He had giventhese men as if it had been the principal part of His own earthly ministry. And such,in one sense, it really was. The careful, painstaking education of the disciples securedthat the Teacher’s influence on the world should be permanent; that His kingdomshould be founded on the rock of deep and indestructible convictions in the minds ofthe few, not on the shifting sands of superficial evanescent impressions on the mindsof the many.5

Like his Lord, Paul was also a discipler of men. He had his Timothys, and he expected his Timothysto train others: “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrustthese to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). Paul expected that whenTimothy departed from Ephesus he would leave in place trained, faithful men who would continuethe development of future teachers and leaders.

It should not be assumed that men trained in a seminary are exempt from the need for specializedpreparation for the responsibilities of being a pastor elder. Unfortunately, seminaries train a man to bethe leader of “his own” congregation rather than an equal participant on an elder council. Seminarygraduates who receive significant preparation in the application of scriptural principles to the gover-nance and care of the church are a blessed exception to the rule.

Elder training is essential to the church’s response to the great commission. Our Lord’s command togo, to teach, and to make disciples of all the nations–in other words, the discipleship process–cannotbe sustained without elders. In any mission field, whether it be local or at a great distance culturally,the planting of new churches is paced by the availability of elders. The stability of those new church-es and their ability to grow will be determined by the maturity of their founding elders.

THE TERM “PASTOR ELDER”

Throughout the Study Guide, as in Biblical Eldership, elders are referred to as “shepherd elders” or “pas-tor elders.”This is to counter the considerable amount of unscriptural thinking about elders that existstoday. When most Christians hear of church elders, they think of lay church officials, committeemen,executives, policymakers, or advisors to the pastor.They do not expect church elders to teach the Word

12 Introduction

or be involved pastorally in the lives of people. We refer to such elders as “board elders.”They are nottrue biblical elders.

The contemporary, church-board concept of eldership is irreconcilably at odds with the NewTestament’s definition of eldership. According to the New Testament concept, elders lead the church,teach and preach the Word, protect the church from false teachers, exhort and admonish the saints insound doctrine, visit the sick and pray, and judge doctrinal issues. To use biblical terminology, eldersshepherd, oversee, lead, and care for the local church. Therefore, to communicate accurately the NewTestament concept of eldership, it is necessary to explain that the New Testament term elder means“pastor elder,” “shepherd elder,” or “pastor.” Throughout the Study Guide, we use these terms inter-changeably to distinguish between “board elder,” the unscriptural concept, and “shepherd elder,” thebiblical concept. For further explanation of the differences, read pp. 15-17, 31-34 in Biblical Eldership.

ELDER QUALIFICATIONS

Since the New Testament so emphatically emphasizes the moral and spiritual qualifications of elders,we underscore them throughout this Guide. Most elder leadership problems can be traced directly tothe failure on the part of an elder or the body of elders to act according to a specific New Testamentcharacter qualification. As there is such a profound depth of wisdom contained in each Spirit-givenqualification, elders need to be thoroughly familiar with each. If you need help defining the NewTestament elder qualifications, read pp. 188-202 and 228-238, in Biblical Eldership. See p. 15 of thisintroduction for a complete list.

USING THE STUDY GUIDE

The Study Guide to Biblical Eldership: Twelve Lessons for Mentoring Men for Eldership is designed pri-marily as a mentoring tool for training prospective new elders. It consists of twelve lessons based onthe revised and expanded edition of Alexander Strauch’s Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to RestoreBiblical Church Leadership (1995). The Study Guide to Biblical Eldership is to be used by the prospec-tive new elder (the mentoree or trainee) under the direction of a mentoring elder. The prospectiveelder reads Biblical Eldership (the revised edition of 1995) and works through the lessons in the StudyGuide to Biblical Eldership. After completing each lesson, he meets with his mentoring elder to discussthe questions and assignments. A companion volume, The Mentor’s Guide to Biblical Eldership, byAlexander Strauch and Richard Swartley, is available to assist the mentoring elder.

If your church does not have a training program for prospective elders, you may seek out one of yourchurch’s elders and ask him to participate in this study program by serving as your mentor. Althoughthe Study Guide was prepared to be used in a mentoring relationship, if no elder in your church is avail-able, an aspiring elder can use the Study Guide in a self-directed study.

How to use The Study Guide to Biblical Eldership 13

BEFORE STARTING THE STUDY GUIDE

Scripture states most emphatically that a new convert cannot be an elder (1 Tim. 3:7) and that a man

is not to be appointed an elder in a hasty manner (1 Tim. 5:22). Thus the Study Guide is designed for

mature Christian men who are already actively involved in local church service, teaching, and leader-

ship. It is for those who know the Scriptures, are knowledgeable in basic Bible doctrines, and agree

with the doctrinal positions of the local church. It is for those who desire pastoral eldership (1 Tim.

3:1), and those whom the elders have selected for training for possible eldership. It is assumed that

those who use the Study Guide are experienced in serving in the church and are well-known by the

elders. Moreover, prospective elders should recognize that entering the mentoring process does not

guarantee that they will be appointed elders at its conclusion.

Depending on the mentoree’s experience, knowledge, skills, personal desire, and needs, the lessons can

be accomplished in six months or spread out over a year or two. The lessons should be used in a flex-

ible manner, depending on the mentoree’s progress and interest in moving forward. The Study Guide

is demanding by virtue of the seriousness of the task, and each lesson requires between three to five

hours of preparation. In addition, most lessons require about an hour and a half for the mentoring

elder and mentoree to review and discuss the mentoree’s work.

The Study Guide is not designed to be a general leadership training manual. It is a specialized leader-

ship training course intended only for those who aspire to be pastor elders and for the congregation’s

emerging elders, as surfaced by its current elders. Churches should provide other specific leadership

training for all leaders and ministry directors.

THE ROLE OF THE STUDY GUIDE IN PREPARING ELDERS

The Study Guide to Biblical Eldership is designed to provide prospective elders with three crucialelements:

1. A thorough study of what the Bible teaches about elders and eldering

An often neglected but critically essential requirement for training new elders is the study of thebiblical texts on eldership and Christian leadership. The Study Guide directs the trainee throughall the New Testament passages on eldership, using Biblical Eldership as an in-depth commentary.Lesson 1 begins with Old Testament elders (chapter 7 of Biblical Eldership).The Guide then movesthrough Acts (also chapter 7), followed by all the epistles (chapters 8-13). The Study Guide alsorefers to the first six chapters of Biblical Eldership as they relate to the eldership texts of Scripture.Therefore, before starting lesson 1 of the Study Guide, the mentoree should read the introductionand the first six chapters of Biblical Eldership.

Only the Spirit of God, using the Word of God, can instill in the hearts and minds of men God’swill for what they should be and do as shepherds of God’s precious flock. Therefore, an eldertrainee needs to saturate his mind with God-breathed words on biblical eldership. Only when he

14 Introduction

is “constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine” will he be “a goodservant of Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 4:6).

2. Practical ideas for developing prospective elders’ pastoral skills and personal spiritual growth

Elder trainees need much practical instruction in preparing for eldership. Since Biblical Eldershipis largely a doctrinal, expository book, it offers little practical counsel for prospective elders. TheStudy Guide supplements Biblical Eldership by providing probing questions, self-evaluations, warn-ings, assignments, useful suggestions, and recommended reading material.

Throughout the Study Guide, many books are recommended for study or purchase as resourcematerial. Mentorees may not be able to afford such an investment, so we suggest that the churchpurchase these books for an elders’ resource library. It is important that basic books are at hand fortraining leaders and elders.

To maximize the trainee’s practical experience, it is essential that he attend elders’ meetings whileworking on these lessons. Elders’ meetings are an extraordinarily effective and essential trainingground for emerging elders. They are a virtual school of advanced pastoral training. Observing expe-rienced leaders is fundamental to the mentoring process. While training the Twelve, Jesus was themodel. He provided maximum exposure for His disciples to observe His methods of evangelism,the priority of prayer in His life, His compassion for suffering people, His leadership style, and Hisabsolute faithfulness to the will and Word of God. The more exposure the mentoree has to theelders at work, the more effective the mentoring process will be. In addition, trainees should seekopportunities to accompany the elders in their pastoral duties. In-service training is always effec-tive.

3. A guide to facilitate a mentoring relationship between an experienced elder and an elder trainee

If a church is blessed with a well-trained council of elders, the Study Guide provides an organizedformat to be used by elders in mentoring men preparing to share that responsibility in the future.This Guide provides the structure for a mentoring elder and mentoree to study all the biblical textson elders and the book Biblical Eldership. It also allows the mentoring elder to share his personalinsights into Scripture; his personal spiritual journey and growth; and his experiences, failures, andsuccesses as a shepherd of God’s people.

Please be aware that a number of assignments and questions may require much more effort thanthe lesson schedule allows. List these items on the inside back cover of the Guide. When you com-plete the Study Guide, prioritize the postponed items and schedule time to work on each.

SUGGESTIONS FOR AN EFFECTIVE MENTORING RELATIONSHIP

So that you may derive the greatest benefit from your mentoring relationship, we recommend that both

the mentoring elder and the trainee read the book, Connecting: The Mentoring Relationships You Need To

Succeed in Life, by Paul D. Stanley and J. Robert Clinton. It is available from your local bookstore or

from Lewis & Roth (800-477-3239). It is without question the finest book available on spiritual men-

How to use The Study Guide to Biblical Eldership 15

toring. Stanley and Clinton briefly define mentoring as “a relational experience through which one per-

son empowers another by sharing God-given resources.”6 Their expanded definition reads:

Mentoring is a relational process between [a] mentor, who knows or has experienced

something and transfers that something (resources of wisdom, information, experience,

confidence, insight, relationships, status, etc.) to a mentoree, at an appropriate time and

manner, so that it facilitates development or empowerment.7

Stanley and Clinton dispel false ideas about mentoring and challenge us to seek different kinds of

mentoring relationships throughout life for our continued growth.

In a church with several capable elders, one elder does not have to mentor a trainee through all twelve

lessons of the Guide. As Stanley and Clinton explain, there is no one “ideal,” or “all-encompassing

mentor” for each of us for life,8 so different elders should be involved with the trainee in specific areas

of mentoring.

When seeking a mentor, don’t look for an ideal person who can do the whole range of

mentoring functions. Few of these exist, if any. But if the mentoring needs are speci-

fied, someone is usually available who can mentor to that need. We believe that men-

tors are part of God’s development plan for each of His followers. He will provide them

as you “ask and seek.”9

An elder who is more doctrinally astute should mentor prospective elders in the importance of know-

ing Bible doctrine (lessons 2, 4, and 8), for example, while an elder who is gifted in counseling and min-

istering to families should cover lesson 7. An elder who is devoted to prayer should guide the mentoree

through lesson 3.This gives trainees the opportunity to learn from several mentoring elders and to draw

from their particular strengths, experience, and gifts. However, one elder should be the primary men-

toring elder for the trainee in order to provide close accountability for the overall training.

Mentoring should not end when a man becomes a pastor elder.The best learning actually occurs when

one is in the process of serving. Furthermore, new elders need the closest mentoring. They need on-

the-job training, guidance, counsel, rebuke, correction, love, and encouragement. Since the first few

years as a pastor elder are the most strategic for growth in his shepherding ministry, it is imperative

that experienced elders seize this opportunity to deliberately pass on their wisdom, knowledge, and

skills to their new colleagues. In this way, the eldership is successfully perpetuated, guaranteeing future

pastoral care for the local church.

16 Introduction

ELDER QUALIFICATIONS

How to use The Study Guide to Biblical Eldership 17

1 Timothy 3:2-7

1. Above reproach

2. The husband of one wife

3. Temperate [self-controlled,

balanced]

4. Prudent [sensible, good judgment]

5. Respectable [well-behaved,

virtuous]

6. Hospitable

7. Able to teach

8. Not addicted to wine

9. Not pugnacious [not belligerent]

10. Gentle [forbearing]

11. Peaceable [uncontentious]

12. Free from the love of money

13. Manages his household well

14. Not a new convert

15. A good reputation with those

outside the church

Titus 1:6-9

1. Above reproach

2. The husband of one wife

3. Having children who believe

4. Not self-willed

5. Not quick-tempered

6. Not addicted to wine

7. Not pugnacious

8. Not fond of sordid gain

9. Hospitable

10. Lover of what is good [kind,

virtuous]

11. Sensible [see prudent]

12. Just [righteous conduct, law-

abiding]

13. Devout [holy, pleasing to God,

loyal to His Word]

14. Self-controlled

15. Holds fast the faithful [trustwor-

thy NIV] Word, both to exhort

and to refute

1 Peter 5:1-3

1. Not shepherding under compul-

sion, but voluntarily

2. Not shepherding for sordid gain,

but with eagerness

3. Not lording it over the flock, but

proving to be an example

1 Steve Huntley, with Jeannye Thornton, “The Silent Strength of Family Businesses,” U. S. News & World

Report (April 25, 1983),

p. 47.2 Ibid., p. 50.3 Kenneth O. Gangel, Feeding and Leading (Wheaton: Victor, 1989), p. 313.4 Ibid., p. 309.5 A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve (1871; reprinted Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1988), pp. 12, 13.

Descriptions and dates are provided in this Guide only for those authors not previously identified in Biblical

Eldership.6 Paul D. Stanley and J. Robert Clinton, Connecting: The Mentoring Relationships You Need To Succeed in Life

(Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1992), p. 33.7 Ibid., p. 40.8 Ibid., pp. 45, 46.9 Ibid., p. 45.

Lesson 1Old Testament Elders

19

LESSON OVERVIEW

Every prospective shepherd elder needs good role models to learn from and to follow. God’s book, theBible, provides us with many inspiring examples of godly men and women. In their excellent book onmentoring, Paul Stanley and Robert Clinton call such an example an “Historical Model,” meaning “aperson now dead whose life or ministry is written in a(n) (auto)biographical form and is used as anexample to indirectly impart values, principles, and skills that empower another person.”1

Lesson 1 explores Job’s life as a model of the Old Testament elder. We will examine the duties anddeficiencies of Israel’s elders and will note the failure of Job’s colleagues to compassionately and tact-fully minister to him during his intense suffering. This lesson will help you think and act like a bib-lical, Christlike elder.

JOB, A MODEL ELDER

“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless, upright, fear-ing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:1).

Read pages 186-202, 227-238. It is assumed that you have previously read pages 9-117.

1. Using a Bible dictionary, encyclopedia, or other reference tool,2 briefly describe who Job is andwhat the book of Job is about.

2. The verses below describe Job’s personal character traits and his actions as a community leader.

a. As you read each passage, mark with an “E” each reference that substantiates that Job was an

elder.

b. Where appropriate, summarize what Job did that a shepherd elder should do.

c. Consider the New Testament qualifications of an elder on the list below and, using the num-

bers 1 through 11 that correspond to those qualifications, identify each passage that contains

similar qualifications.

1 Above reproach (1 Tim. 3:2; pp. 188, 228)2 Hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2; p. 194)3 Respectable [well-behaved, virtuous] (1 Tim. 3:3; p. 193)4 Gentle [forbearing] (1 Tim 3:3; p. 197)5 Free from the love of money (1 Tim. 3:3; p. 198)6 Manages his household well (1 Tim. 3:4; p. 199)7 Lover of what is good [kind, virtuous] (Titus 1:8; p. 233)8 Just [righteous conduct, law-abiding] (Titus 1:8; p. 234)9 Devout [holy, pleasing to God, loyal to His Word] (Titus 1:8; p. 235)

10 Faithful to God’s Word (Titus 1:9; pp. 235, 236) 11 Able to teach and exhort, and to refute false teachers (Titus 1:9; pp. 236, 237)

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless,

upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.

Example: b. Job was blameless, God-fearing; c. 1, 8, 9

Job 1:4, 5 And his sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they

would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. It came about, when the days

of feasting had completed their cycle, that Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in

the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said,

“Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

20 Lesson 1

Job 4:1-4 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered, “If one ventures a word with you [ Job], will you

become impatient? But who can refrain from speaking? Behold you [ Job] have admonished

[instructed] many, and you have strengthened weak hands. Your words have helped the tottering

to stand, and you have strengthened feeble knees.”

Job 23:11, 12 “My foot [ Job’s] has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside.

I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more

than my necessary food.”

Job 29:7, 8 “When I [ Job] went out to the gate of the city, when I took my seat in the square, the

young men saw me and hid themselves, and the old men arose and stood.”

Job 29:12-17 “Because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the orphan who had no helper.

The blessing of the one ready to perish came upon me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy.

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to

the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I investigated the case which I did

not know. I broke the jaws of the wicked and snatched the prey from his teeth.”

Old Testament Elders 21

Job 29:21 “To me they listened and waited, and kept silent for my counsel.”

Job 30:25 “Have I not wept for the one whose life is hard? Was not my soul grieved for the needy?”

Job 31:1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze [look lustfully NIV] at a vir-

gin?”

Job 31:24-34 “If I have put my confidence in gold, and called fine gold my trust, if I have gloated

because my wealth was great, and because my hand had secured so much; if I have looked at the

sun when it shone or the moon going in splendor, and my heart became secretly enticed, and my

hand threw a kiss from my mouth, that too would have been an iniquity calling for judgment, for

I would have denied God above. Have I rejoiced at the extinction of my enemy, or exulted when

evil befell him? No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life in a curse. Have the

men of my tent not said, ‘Who can find one who has not been satisfied with his meat’? The alien

has not lodged outside, for I have opened my doors to the traveler. Have I covered my transgres-

sions like Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom, because I feared the great multitude, and

the contempt of families terrified me, and kept silent and did not go out of doors?”

22 Lesson 1

3. In summary, what was Job’s attitude toward people?

4. Job complained that his five friends, who may also have been elders, were miserable comforters.

“You are all worthless physicians” ( Job 13:4). “Sorry comforters are you all” ( Job 16:2). Many eld-

ers today think and act like Job’s friends. So that you will not become a worthless physician of the

soul, observe the negative characteristics in Job’s friends that shepherds of God’s people should

avoid. List those that appear in these passages.

Job 6:14, 15 “For the despairing man [ Job speaking] there should be kindness from his friend; so

that he does not forsake the fear of the Almighty. My brothers [ Job’s friends] have acted deceit-

fully like a wadi [a seasonal stream], like the torrents of wadis which vanish.”

Example: lack of compassion, inconsistent, useless

Job 12:5a “He who is at ease holds calamity in contempt.”

The following observation is from a letter by Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland

Mission and one of the greatest missionaries of all time. He wrote about the lack of tact and

sensitivity some missionaries displayed toward the Chinese. May his words remind us of the

importance of grace and tact in dealing with people:

“Some persons seem really clever in doing the right thing in the worst possible way, or at the

most unfortunate time. Really dull, or rude persons will seldom be out of hot water in China;

and though earnest and clever and pious will not effect much. In nothing do we fail more, as

a Mission, than in lack of tact and politeness.” —Hudson Taylor3

Old Testament Elders 23

Job 13:4 “But you smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.”

Job 16:1-4 Then Job answered, “I have heard many such things; sorry comforters are you all. Is

there no limit to windy words? Or what plagues you that you answer? I too could speak like you,

if I were in your place. I could compose words against you and shake my head at you.”

Job 19:1-5 Then Job responded, “How long will you torment me, and crush me with words?

These ten times you have insulted me; you are not ashamed to wrong me. . . . If indeed you vaunt

yourselves against me, and prove my disgrace to me.”

5. Restate Job 12:5a in your own words. Why is it important for those who provide spiritual care tounderstand and remember this text?

24 Lesson 1

ISRAEL’S ELDERS

“And they [the elders] shall bear the burden of the people with you” (Numbers 11:17).

Read pages 121-124.

6. Practice pronouncing the following Greek words, and give their meanings (see Biblical Eldership):

presbyteros [prez BOO tuh rohs] (p. 124)

presbyteroi [prez BOO tuh roy] (p. 124)

presbyterion [prez boo TEH ree ohn] (pp. 123, 205)

gerousia [geh roo SEE uh] (p. 123)

7. Briefly define the eldership structure of government of the Old Testament (p. 39).

8. The divinely inspired New Testament is built on the divinely inspired Old Testament. A major

reason why most Christians do not see or understand church eldership as practiced in the New

Testament is that they do not know anything about the Old Testament elders. Robert B.

Girdlestone (1836-1923), author of the classic Synonyms of the Old Testament, echoes this senti-

ment: “The importance of a right judgment of the position and functions of these [Old

Testament] elders cannot well be overrated when we come to discuss the nature of the analogous

office of presbyter in the NT.”4

Elders appear throughout the entire Bible, beginning with Genesis 50:7 and ending with

Revelation 4:4, which describes the twenty-four elders who surround the throne of God. Since

government by a council of elders has been a fundamental institution among the people of God

all through biblical history, a study of New Testament church eldership must begin with an exam-

ination of what the Old Testament says about elders.

List the responsibilities of the elders of Israel indicated in these Old Testament passages. Be sure

to interpret these verses in their context.

Old Testament Elders 25

Ex. 19:7, 8

Lev. 4:13-15

Num. 11:16, 17

Deut. 19:11, 12

Deut. 21:18-21

Deut. 27:1

Deut. 31:9-12

2 Sam. 5:3

Job 12:20

Ezek. 7:26

9. Although today’s elders do not offer sacrifices, protect manslayers, or sit at the city gate, there are

important similarities between the responsibilities of the Old and New Testament elders. List

some of these similarities.

26 Lesson 1

10. What highly significant lesson for elders do you find in Joshua 24:31?

11. By and large, Israel’s elders failed to meet their responsibility to uphold the law of God and pro-tect the people. We also cannot assume that collective leadership will protect us from the conse-quences of corporate sin.

What were some of the root sins and failures of Israel’s elders? Again, be sure to observe thecontext.

1 Sam. 4:1-11

1 Sam. 8:4-9, 19, 20

1 Sam. 11:1-3

2 Sam. 5:3; 17:1-4

Old Testament Elders 27

1 Kings 21:5-11

Ezek. 8:7-13

12. In light of your desire to become a godly leader or elder, write brief phrases that summarize the

biblical standards for character and conduct for elders that you have gleaned from this study.

I must:

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

28 Lesson 1

i.

j.

k.

l.

m.

n.

o.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY ASSIGNMENT:

“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fear-

ing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:1).

1 Paul D. Stanley and J. Robert Clinton, Connecting: The Mentoring Relationship You Need to Succeed in Life

(Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1992), p. 147.2 We highly recommend that every elder own and use regularly Talk Thru the Bible, by Bruce Wilkinson and

Kenneth Boa (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers). For a good Bible dictionary, we recommend the New

Bible Dictionary, by Tyndale House Publishers.3 A. J. Broomhall, Refiner’s Fire (Robesonia: The Overseas Missionary Fellowship, 1985), p. 231.4 Robert Baker Girdlestone, Synonyms of the Old Testament, 3d ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1983), p. 269.

Old Testament Elders 29